TheApple Thunderbolt Display is a 27-inchflat panelcomputer monitor developed byApple Inc. and sold from July 2011 to June 2016. Originally priced at $999, it replaced Apple’s 27-inchCinema Display.[1] It integrates a webcam, speakers and microphone, as well as several ports (ethernet,FireWire 800,USB 2.0, and a downstream Thunderbolt port).[2]
The Thunderbolt Display was discontinued in June 2016, and replaced byLG UltraFine displays Apple developed withLG on the consumer end, while thePro Display XDR succeeded it in 2019 as Apple's professional display. In 2022, theApple Studio Display was released as the first Apple-branded consumer display since its discontinuation.
The Thunderbolt Display requires a computer with aThunderbolt port; only Mac computers are supported officially.[2] Most Macs released since 2011 (with some exceptions) are compatible. Mac models released since 2016 are supported but require a Thunderbolt 3 to Thunderbolt 2 adapter.[3] Despite using the same physical connector, it does not work withMini DisplayPort input, and similarly, the adapter does not make it compatible withUSB-C in general.[3]
Like its predecessor, the 27-inchLED Cinema Display, the resolution is 2560×1440 pixels in a16:9aspect ratio. Its chassis is made of aluminum and glass, resembling the contemporary ranges ofiMac andMacBook Pro unibody designs. The display features a built-in 720p[4]FaceTime HD camera (replacing theiSight in the previous model), microphone, and stereo speaker system with subwoofer (2.1 channel). Anoctopus cable with Thunderbolt andMagSafe is permanently attached to the back of the display for data and charging MacBooks, respectively. On the rear of the display is a Thunderbolt port, aFireWire 800 port, threeUSB 2.0 ports, and aGigabit Ethernet port.
The Thunderbolt port allows for the possibility ofdaisy chaining Thunderbolt Displays from a supported Mac, or connecting other devices that have Thunderbolt ports, such as external hard drives and video capture devices. In July 2012, Apple began including a MagSafe to MagSafe 2 adaptor in the box.[5]
On June 23, 2016, Apple announced through a statement it was discontinuing the Thunderbolt Display and would exit the stand-alone display market.[6] Apple subsequently worked withLG to design the Thunderbolt 3-enabledUltraFine line, consisting of 21.5-inch (later 24-inch)4K and 27-inch5K displays, which were the only displays sold by Apple from 2016 to 2019.[7] In December 2019, Apple released thePro Display XDR, the first Apple-branded display since the Thunderbolt Display's discontinuation. In March 2022, Apple released theApple Studio Display, the first Apple-branded consumer display since the Thunderbolt Display's discontinuation, which similarly includes integrated speakers and a webcam.[8]
The Thunderbolt Display drops compatibility with all previous standards, including VGA, DVI, and DisplayPort.[9] It is not compatible with computers that do not have a Thunderbolt port, including pre-2011 Macs and the vast majority of desktop PCs. The 12-inchRetina MacBook and 2012Mac Pro do not support Thunderbolt. The following Macs support the Thunderbolt Display without an adapter:
Macbook Pro (2011): 2 Displays: Can daisy chain two Apple Thunderbolt Displays together to get two displays, but the laptop's LCD may turn off.[11][12]
Macbook Pro (2012): 2+2 Displays: Can daisy chain two Apple Thunderbolt Displays, in addition to one HDMI display and the MacBook Pro's own display, for four displays total[13][14]
MacBook Pro (Late 2016): Apple released a Thunderbolt 3 to Thunderbolt 2 Adapter for enabling the Thunderbolt 3 ports of MacBook Pro (Late 2016) to connect to Thunderbolt 2 devices.
MacBook Pro (2017–2019) Using 2 of the Thunderbolt 3 to Thunderbolt 2 Adapters can run 4 Thunderbolt Displays in addition to the built in Retina Display for a total of 5.
Macbook Pro 13-inch M1/M2 (2020–2022) Using 1 of the Thunderbolt 3 to Thunderbolt 2 Adapters can run 1 Thunderbolt Display in addition to the built in Retina Display for a total of 2.
MacBook Pro M1/M2 Pro (2021–2023) Using 1 of the Thunderbolt 3 to Thunderbolt 2 Adapters can run 2 Thunderbolt Displays in addition to the built in Retina Display for a total of 3.
MacBook Pro M1/M2 Max (2021–2023) Using 2 of the Thunderbolt 3 to Thunderbolt 2 Adapters can run 4 Thunderbolt Displays in addition to the built in Retina Display for a total of 5.
MacBook Air (Mid 2011): 1+1 Displays: Can use one Apple Thunderbolt display, in addition to the MacBook Air's own display.[15][11]
MacBook Air (Mid 2012 to Mid 2017): 2+1 Displays: Candaisy chain two Apple Thunderbolt displays, in addition to the MacBook Air's own display.[16]
MacBook Air (Intel, Late 2018 to Early 2020): 2+1 Displays: Candaisy chain two Apple Thunderbolt displays, in addition to the MacBook Air's own display.
MacBook Air (M1, 2020): 1+1 Displays: Can use one Apple Thunderbolt Display (with Thunderbolt 3 to Thunderbolt 2 adapter), in addition to the MacBook Air's own display. Further displays have to rely on virtual display output likeDisplayLink or Apple Sidecar.[17]
MacBook Air (M2, 2022): 1+1 Displays: Can use one Apple Thunderbolt Display (with Thunderbolt 3 to Thunderbolt 2 adapter), in addition to the MacBook Air's own display. Further displays have to rely on virtual display output likeDisplayLink or Apple Sidecar.[17]
